Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico shot and rushed to hospital after ‘tried assassination’

Slovakia’s prime minister Robert Fico has been injured in a taking pictures and rushed to hospital.

The incident occurred within the city of Handlova, some 150 kilometres northeast of the capital Bratislava, after a authorities assembly.

TA3, a Slovakian TV station, has reported that the 59-year-old premier was hit within the abdomen throughout the daylight assault.

A suspect has been detained, with dramatic photographs displaying a person handcuffed on the bottom.

The taking pictures occurred in entrance of the native Home of Tradition, the place Mr Fico got here to fulfill with supporters.

A reporter for the each day newspaper Dennik N stated they heard taking pictures after which noticed rescuers carrying Mr Fico, a well known ally of Russian president of Vladimir Putin, to a automobile.

“I used to be simply going to shake his hand,” stated a person, who witnessed the taking pictures and didn’t want to be named. His spouse added that she had heard three or 4 pictures and stated: “When the pictures rang out, I nearly turned deaf.”

Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident throughout a session of parliament and adjourned it till additional discover.

An inside ministry spokesperson stated that the taking pictures was an assassination try. They didn’t give any additional particulars concerning the incident or Mr Fico’s situation.

A submit on Mr Fico’s Fb web page following the taking pictures described his situation as “life-threatening”.

President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” assault on the premier.

“I’m shocked,” Ms Caputova stated. “I want Robert Fico numerous energy on this important second and a fast restoration from this assault.”

Responding to the assault, Czech prime minister Petr Fiala stated: “The information concerning the taking pictures Slovak prime minister Robert Fico is stunning.

“I want the prime minister to get properly as quickly as attainable. We should not tolerate violence, it will need to have no place in society.”

Fico returned to energy and took over as prime minister for the fourth time after his scandal-tainted leftist Smer, or Course, get together gained Slovakia’s parliamentary election on the finish of September 2023 on a pro-Russian and anti-American platform.

Fico shaped a parliamentary majority by signing a coalition authorities cope with the leftist Hlas, or Voice, get together and the ultranationalist Slovak Nationwide Get together.

Slovakia, a rustic of 5.5 million those that shares a border with Ukraine, had been – as much as that time – a staunch supporter of Kyiv since russia invaded in February 2022, donating arms and opening its borders for refugees fleeing the warfare.

Mr Fico stopped that navy assist and likewise opposes EU sanctions on russia whereas wanting to dam Ukraine from becoming a member of Nato.

Through the election, Mr Fico vowed to pursue a “sovereign” international coverage, promised a tricky stance in opposition to migration and non-governmental organizations and campaigned in opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.

Recognized for his tirades in opposition to journalists, Mr Fico has beforehand labeled a significant tv community, two nationwide newspapers and a web-based information website his enemies and stated he gained’t talk with them.

Leaders throughout Europe started to sentence the taking pictures and ship their greatest needs to Mr Fico and his household.

“I strongly condemn the vile assault on prime minister Robert Fico,” EU president Fee president Ursula von der Leyen stated on X.

“Such acts of violence don’t have any place in our society and undermine democracy, our most valuable widespread good.

“My ideas are with PM Fico and his household.”

Donald Tusk, the prime minister of Poland and former president of the EU Council, stated: “Surprising information from Slovakia. Robert, my ideas are with you on this very tough second.”

Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, stated: “Shocked to listen to this terrible information. All our ideas are with Prime Minister Fico and his household.

Fico was initially bundled right into a automobile by his safety staff, and native stories say he was then airlifted by helicopter to a close-by hospital.

Following the taking pictures, Slovakia’s greatest opposition get together referred to as off a deliberate protest in opposition to authorities public broadcaster reforms set for Wednesday night.

The Slovak authorities assembly in Handlova was a part of a tour of the nation’s areas by Mr Fico after he got here to energy final yr.

Throughout a three-decade profession, Fico has moved between the pro-European mainstream and nationalistic positions against European Union and US insurance policies, along with his newest election win being primarily based across the latter.

He has additionally proven a willingness to alter course relying on public opinion or modified political realities.

Viktor Oban, Hungary’s authoritarian prime minister, additionally despatched Mr Fico his greatest needs.

“I used to be deeply shocked by the heinous assault in opposition to my good friend, prime minister Robert Fico,” he wrote on X. “We pray for his well being and fast restoration! God bless him and his nation!”

Mr Fico, the son of a forklift truck driver and store employee, grew up in Topoľčany, a small city in Slovakia’s west.

He attended native major and secondary faculties, then signed as much as research regulation on the revered Comenius College, 100km away within the capital, Bratislava.

In 1987, a 23-year-old Fico joined the Communist get together and in 1988 married a fellow lawyer.

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